Viral gastroenteritis - including symptoms, treatment and prevention

This is a type of gastroenteritis (also known as ‘gastro’) caused by a virus. Many different viruses can cause viral gastroenteritis.

How viral gastroenteritis is spread

Viral gastroenteritis is spread through contamination of hands, objects or food with infected faeces or vomit. The virus is then taken in by the mouth. Viral gastroenteritis may also be spread through coughing and sneezing.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms usually last 1 or 2 days and include:

mild fever

nausea and vomiting

stomach cramps

diarrhoea.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation. A faecal examination can sometimes identify the virus and should be performed to also rule out bacterial infection.

Incubation period

(time between becoming infected and developing symptoms)

24 to 72 hours.

Infectious period

(time during which an infected person can infect others)

During illness and for at least 24 hours after symptoms have disappeared.

Treatment

No specific antiviral drugs are useful for treating viral gastroenteritis. It is a common illness which may be particularly serious in young children.

The following are general recommendations for the treatment of gastroenteritis:

Give plenty of fluids. Oral rehydration solution is highly recommended for children with mild to moderate dehydration. It is available at pharmacies and should be administered following the instructions on the packaging.

Mildly unwell children should be given their usual fluids more often. Carbonated (fizzy) drinks or undiluted juice should be avoided.

Medicines to prevent vomiting or diarrhoea should not be given (especially in children), except where specifically advised by a doctor.

Breastfed babies should continue to be breastfed throughout their illness.

Children on formula or solid diets should restart their normal diet (including full strength lactose containing milk) following rehydration with oral rehydration solution.

Children who are hungry or ask for food should be given small portions of their usual foods, but avoid foods high in sugar or fat.

When to seek medical advice

Seek medical advice if there are any of the following symptoms:

Adults

Signs of dehydration, such as thirst and decreased urination, lethargy, dry mouth, feeling faint on standing

Babies and small children without diarrhoea who are not toilet trained should wear tight fitting waterproof pants or swimming nappies in swimming pools and changed regularly in the change room. When faecal accidents occur, swimming pools should be properly disinfected.